Bonus points if you get the connection :-)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Time to Slow Down...Whether I like It or Not
I was walking behind some new friends when my right toe caught on a root, not an uncommon occurrence - when you are taking roughly 5,000,000 steps in a line a few are bound to go bad - I caught my balance on my left foot and my heel which has been a little sore since Pennsylvania and spreading to my foot since central Connecticut, suddenly tweaked violently, and my friends disappeared down the trail as I limped through the Vermont mud to the shelter, where I slept; my first shelter since early in Virginia. The next day I hitched into Bennington and couldn't find transportation south so I stayed with Arla, Chris and Todd at the Bennington Vortex where these lovely trail angels have opened their house to thru-hikers. We had a great dinner and jammed for a while in the drum room and played pool in the barn. Next day I made my way to my mom's house where I sit for the moment waiting for my foot to loosen up. It is a mixed blessing, I'm getting lots of rest and a chance to catch up with some more friends in CT. The real trouble is I have committed to a return date for work, and in order to reach Kathadin I am going to have to skip a small section of the trail. For most folks this would be no especially big deal, but I have literally walked back on to the trail at the exact spot where I got off for the entire journey. It's a bit of a psychosis really. I have often made friends wait while I cross a road to the other side where the trail reenters the woods and touch the blaze there so I can touch it again when I start.
The Trail refuses to roll out like you envision it will. Plans are continually frustrated. I suppose the big lesson for me here is that just because a journey doesn't happen the way you would like it to happen, doesn't mean the journey isn't worth taking. The small section of Vermont will bug me I know, but I simply have to get past it, because a week of recovery has already made finishing from Bennington pretty much impossible. So when I am able I will get back on the trail in Hanover NH and make my way through the Whites and through Maine.
Since my last update I finished CT and MA and walked into Vermont. The ridge that encompasses Bear Mtn, Sage's Ravine, Race Mountain, Eagle's Perch, and Everett is still one of my favorite sections of the trail, and stickshift and I walked in opposite directions on a spectacular day.
One day after our slackathon ended and I left my mom's car for a full pack, my cousin who lives in Western MA texted me with a pick-up point and I spent a few days slacking from their house. Barb walked with me a bit as well which was fun. Saturday night they took me to Tanglewood, one of my all time favorite places, and we watch John Williams and the Boston Pops perform some of his movie themes. Robert Osborne from TCM was the host. I was bummed because it was a tribute to Spielberg so Star Wars wasn't included, but I was especially bummed that the ignored Indiana Jones. Turns out it was the surprise finale. Totally Awesome!
The next day I climbed up and over Greylock and the next day up into the Green mountains. That's when the wheels started to come off. The good news is I woke today without heel pain, I've been rehabbing it, and it isn't too bad when I walk so I think I'm on track to resume. Only time will tell.
The Trail refuses to roll out like you envision it will. Plans are continually frustrated. I suppose the big lesson for me here is that just because a journey doesn't happen the way you would like it to happen, doesn't mean the journey isn't worth taking. The small section of Vermont will bug me I know, but I simply have to get past it, because a week of recovery has already made finishing from Bennington pretty much impossible. So when I am able I will get back on the trail in Hanover NH and make my way through the Whites and through Maine.
Since my last update I finished CT and MA and walked into Vermont. The ridge that encompasses Bear Mtn, Sage's Ravine, Race Mountain, Eagle's Perch, and Everett is still one of my favorite sections of the trail, and stickshift and I walked in opposite directions on a spectacular day.
One day after our slackathon ended and I left my mom's car for a full pack, my cousin who lives in Western MA texted me with a pick-up point and I spent a few days slacking from their house. Barb walked with me a bit as well which was fun. Saturday night they took me to Tanglewood, one of my all time favorite places, and we watch John Williams and the Boston Pops perform some of his movie themes. Robert Osborne from TCM was the host. I was bummed because it was a tribute to Spielberg so Star Wars wasn't included, but I was especially bummed that the ignored Indiana Jones. Turns out it was the surprise finale. Totally Awesome!
The next day I climbed up and over Greylock and the next day up into the Green mountains. That's when the wheels started to come off. The good news is I woke today without heel pain, I've been rehabbing it, and it isn't too bad when I walk so I think I'm on track to resume. Only time will tell.
Friday, August 6, 2010
A Taste of Civilization and Giving a Little Back to the Great friends I've Made.
After a marvellous stay with Sherry and Brian, we lit out to walk across New Jersey. The trail in Jersey is not especially challenging, but it is crawling with bears. We saw three in the few days we were there. I was enjoying breakfast by a road and had my stuff spread out, and Stickshift looks at me with wide eyes and says "Dude!" I responded "What, a bear?" He said "Yeah!" I'm looking all around to see one off in the distance, and Stick says, " No, right there!" and leans back because I couldn't see the bear 10 feet away because it was behind him. I jumped up and started to bang my hiking poles and yell, but he wasn't going anywhere. We tried to reason with him and explain that if he didn't go away he was going to be euthanized as a nuisance bear, but he wasn't convinced so we started to throw rocks near him and he ran away.
On a serious note PLEASE DON'T FEED WILDLIFE - in the case of bears you'll get them killed!
The trail through Jersey was interesting and often beautiful, it was a welcome change from PA.
When we crossed the border my mom came and picked me up and agreed to drive us for a while so we could hike NY and CT without our packs, so we have spent the last week walking in the daytime and sleeping in a comfy RV at night.It makes for long mileage and some small amount of relaxation, though it is hectic at times. Most importantly it provides for a shower and a chance to look for ticks. One friend is already recovering from Lyme disease from NY.
My mom has also taken to trail magic like a duck to water. She set up a cooleron the trail and has now been hosting bands of my smelly hiker friends for a week now. There are tents strewn about the yard and a continual schedule of shuttles and feedings. Thanks Mom! It is nice to get a chance to organize some comfort and relaxation for the marvellous people who have made my experience on the trail that much more special.
Some recent pictures
On a serious note PLEASE DON'T FEED WILDLIFE - in the case of bears you'll get them killed!
The trail through Jersey was interesting and often beautiful, it was a welcome change from PA.
When we crossed the border my mom came and picked me up and agreed to drive us for a while so we could hike NY and CT without our packs, so we have spent the last week walking in the daytime and sleeping in a comfy RV at night.It makes for long mileage and some small amount of relaxation, though it is hectic at times. Most importantly it provides for a shower and a chance to look for ticks. One friend is already recovering from Lyme disease from NY.
My mom has also taken to trail magic like a duck to water. She set up a cooleron the trail and has now been hosting bands of my smelly hiker friends for a week now. There are tents strewn about the yard and a continual schedule of shuttles and feedings. Thanks Mom! It is nice to get a chance to organize some comfort and relaxation for the marvellous people who have made my experience on the trail that much more special.
Some recent pictures
Jersey reunion, Stickshift, Bear Blaze, Mad Mike and I when Mike came to visit.
The High Point Monument at night from the observation platform on which we definately did not sleep because that's against the rules.
New Jersey boardwalk. Hunh... I always pictured more casinos.
Finished another state, time for a nap!
Cool New York silo.
The Dover Oak - really BIG oak tree.
The Lemon Squeezer
View of Hudson near Bear Mountain.
Bear Mtn Bridge from Bear Mtn.
Nuthatch and Trail angel Mom
Nuthatch, Stickshift and I in a thru-hikers second mode - relaxing.
Into Connecticut.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Downright Extemporaneous Celebration Since I Had 3 Miles to Plan it.
Verses intentionally skipped to save time!
Into Maryland
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